Combination ruler and compass



April 25, 1950 M. SKOLNICK COMBINATION RULER AND COMPASS 2 Sheets-Sheet1 Filed May 25, 1946 INVENTOR. MAX SKOLNICK A TTORNEY April 25, 1950 M.SIKOLNICKA cbMBINA'rIoN RULERAND COMPASS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 25,1946 INVENTOR. MAX SKOLNICK.

ATTORNEY Patented Apr. 25, 1950 UNITED STATES TENT OFFICE 3 Claims.

The present invention relates to new and useful improvements in drawinginstruments, and refers more particularly to a combined ruler andcompass.

More specifically, the invention proposes the ,construction of acompass, the legs of which are straight and bear markings constitutingthem individaully as rulers. Additionally, the legs of the compass areso joined together that they may be positioned each to constitute astraight extension of the other, and the markings of one leg will becomplementary to those of the other so that jointly they constitute asingle long ruler. I

A further object is that the compass handle may .be folded or turned soas to overlie the legs of the angular position of the legs thereof, incombination with a nut and bolt means pivotally connecting the legstogether.

Still another object is to provide a compass with sleeves for receivingdivider points, a pen, pencil or other stylus means, which sleeves shallbe bodily adjustable relative to the compas legs on which they aremounted, and novel mean for maintaining thesleeves in their adjustedposition. A general object of the invention is that the above shall beembodied in an instrument which shall be economical to fabricate,pleasing in appearance, and simple in operation.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects andadvantages thereof, reference will be had to the following descriptionand accompanying drawings, and to the appended claims in which thevarious novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawings forming a material part of this disclosure:

Fig. 1 is a perspective front view of an instrument embodying thepresent invention, shown in closed position.

Fig. 2 is a rear View of the same.

Fig. 3 is a side view of the same.

Fig. 4 is a front elevation of the same, partly broken away and. showingthe legs extended to -form a single long ruler.

Fig. 5 is a frontelevation-of the instrument in closed position, with anopen position shown in broken lines.

Fig. 9 is an exploded view of the joint elements of the instrument.

Fig. 10 is an end elevation of a modified form of the invention.

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary section on the line il-ll of Fig. 10.

Referring now in detail to the drawings, the ruler compass 20, whichwill be referred to hereafter as a compass, comprises two legs 2i, 22,marked with complementary ruler scales and comprising beveled rulingedges 23, 24. Each leg 2|, 22 is substantially rectangular in plan view,as clearly seen from Figs. 2, 4., and 5.

Extending fromadjacent end corners of the legs 2i, '22 are the circularpivot ears 25, 26 formed with central holes 27, 28, the centersof theholes 27, 28 and ears 25, 26 lying on the intersection of the projectedend and inner side lines of their respective legs.

A. partially threaded pivot 29 passes through holes 21, 28 to pivotallyconnect the legs 2 l, 22 together. A washer 30 overlies ear 26 on pivot29,

and a split washer 3| overlies washer 30, also on pivot 29.

The compass handle 32 comprises a substantially tubular portion 33 and afiat portion 34 formed with a hole 35 extending transversely to the axisof portion 33 and to the plane of portion 34, which may be said toextend radially from hole 35. Portion 34 of handle 32 is mounted onpivot 29 overlying washer 3| and in engagement with lock nut 36, thelower radial surface of the latter engaging the radial surface ofportion 34, the two surfaces bein in frictional engagement when nut 36is screwed down tight. When in such condition of engagement, theelongated tubular portion 33 serves as a lever for applying the finaltightening force to nut 36 and the initial loosening force when it isdesired to unscrew nut 36.

It is notable that, because handle 32 and nut 36 are freely rotatable,relatively to each other, except when in frictional engagement, suchtightening and loosening of nut 36 may be effected with handle 32 in anydesired position relative to legs 2|, 22 as seen from the variousfigures. For instance, in Figs. 1, 2, and 3, the portion 33 overlieslegs 2|, 22 in order to decrease the overall length of the instrumentand in order not to constitute a projection. The compass as thus lockedis conveniently carried in the pocket without needing any protectivecase. In Fig. 5, the handle 32 and portion 33 thereof in particularextends in prolongation of legs 2|, 22 in operative position in the useof the compass. In Fig. 4, portion 33 overlies leg 22, looking the legsin straight extending position to form one long ruler in which theruling edges 23, 24 form one continuous straight edge and portion 33does not project so as to interrupt said straight edge, but ratherperforms the desirable function of a han- '54 and underlying upper wallportion 56.

'3 dle by which the ruler may be conveniently picked up from the workwithout having to place the fingers on the work in order to reach underthe ruler.

Legs 2|, 22 each comprise a stylus sleeve 37 fixed thereto in anyconvenient manner, the sleeve 31 being tubular and comprising atransversely extending screw 38 or other means for the adjustablepositioning of divider points 39, pen, pencil 40 or other form of stylusor inscribing means.

Figs. 10 and 11 show a modified form of my invention in which a stylussleeve 55 with stylus holding screw is adjustable longitudinally of leg52 of a compass, not shown in entirety. Fig. is an elevation of thewriting or inscribing end of the compass leg 52, which end appears atthe lower end of Fig. 11. 7

Leg 5Z.is formed with .a longitudinal opening 53, one side wall of whichis formed with ratchet teeth 54, the other side wall 55 being smooth.

Opening 53 has top wall portions 56 and 51, and a top slot 58. V

Sleeve 55 is mounted on sleeve base 59, extending upward therefromthrough slot 58, the sleeve 56 and base 59 being slidable as a unitlongitudinally of opening 53 and leg 52. Base 59 is formed with ratchetteeth 68 interengaging teeth On the opposite side of base 59'from teethBil are two lugs 5| extending laterally therefrom and underlying topwall portion 51. V

Longitudinally' confined by lugs BI and laterally compressed by base 59and wall 55 is the leaf spring 62 which tends to keep the teeth 54, 55in engagement thus longitudinally positioning sleeve at on leg 52'. Itis evident however that by a pressure from left to right of Figs. 10 and11, hearing on sleeve 59 and conveniently exerted by the fingers, teethv54, may be disengaged against the aotionof. spring Gland sleeve 56adjustedlongitudinally orf leg 52 upon release of the pressure, spring62 will causeteeth 54, to reengage at the: new position, maintaining thesame securely.

While I have illustratedand described the preferred embodiments of myinvention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to theprecise constructions. herein disclosed and the right is: reserved toall'changes'andmodifications coming. within the. scope of the, inventionas defined in the appendediclaims.

Having'thusdescribedmfy invention, wha I claim as new, :and desire tosecure by United States-Letters Patent is 1:. In: an article of theclass. described, having adjacent legs pivotally connected together attheir adjacentrends, said legs being formed with openings extended infrom thefree ends thereof and slots of a width less. than said openingsextendingfrom said openings to one side of said legs, a base slidablelongitudinally in each of said openings, each of said bases havingportions extending through the slots of their respective openings,stylus holding tube mounted on the extended portions of said basesratchet teeth formed on, the walls of said openings along one side ofsaid bases, ratchet teeth formed on the edges, of said bases adjacentthe ratchet teeth of said wall for engaging said ratchet teeth of saidwalhand resilient means operating between the edges of said baseopposite the edges formed with saidlatter mentioned ratchet teeth andthe adjacent side walls of said openings urging saidbas'es to maintainsaid ratchet teeth engaged.

2. In an article of the class described, having adjacent legs pivotallyconnected together at their adjacent ends, said legs being formed withopenings extended in from the free ends thereof and slots of a widthless thansaidopenings extending from said openings to one side of saidlegs, a base slidable longitudinally in each of said openings, each ofsaid bases having portions extending through the slots of theirrespective openings, stylus holding tubes mounted on the extendedportions of said bases, ratchet teeth formed on the walls of saidopenings along one side of said bases, ratchet teeth formed on the edgesof said bases adjacent the ratchet teeth of said wall for engaging saidratchet teeth of said Well, and resilient means operat ng between theedges of's'aid bases opposite the edges 'formedwith said lattermentioned ratchet teeth and the adjacent side walls of saidopeningsurging said bases to maintain said ratchet teeth engaged, saidratchet teeth being, disposed to slide" over one another when the basesare moved to, move thestylus holding tubes toward, the free ends of saidlegs and'to engage and restrain any movement of the bases and the stylusholding tubes carried thereby away from the free. ends of said legs.

In an article of the class described, having adjacent legs pivotallyconnected together at their adjacent ends, said legs being formed withopenings extended in from the free ends thereof and slots of a widthless than said openings extending from said openings tooneside-ofsaid-legs, a base slidable longitudinally each ofsaid openings, each ofsaid bases having portions extending through the. slots of theirrespective openings, stylus. holding tubes mounted" on the extendedportions oi said bases, ratchet teeth formed on the walls of saidopenings along one side of said bases, ratchet teeth formedon theedgesoi"- said bases adjacent the ratchet teeth of'sa'id wall for engagingsaid ratchet teeth" of" said wall, and resilient means operatingbetweenthe'edges ofsaid bases'opposite' the edges formed with saidlatter mentioned ratchet teeth and the adjacent side -'walls of saidopenings urging said bases to main- 't'ain said ratchet teeth enga ed,said resilient means comprising a spaced pair oilugs formed on the edgeof each of said-bases opposite the edges formed with said lattermentioned"ratchet teeth, and leaf springs of a length greater than thespaces between saidpairs of lugs, each leaf spring having its endsengaging its respective lugs holdingthe leaf spring arched withit'sintermediate portionengaging thewall oi its respective open ing opposedtoit s' wan, formed with said first mentioned ratchet teeth holding itsrespective base in a position in which Saidratchet teeth will beengaged;

SKOLNICK.

REFERENGES. CITED" The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNfiED STATES PATENTS

